Em Beihold Discusses Whimsy, Co-dependency, and Self Doubt in Q & A
Photo via Universal Music Group
Em Beihold is a singer-songwriter on the rise for her whimsical writing style and catchy melodies. You may recognize her name or her voice from the ultra viral song that she collaborated with Stephen Sanchez on called “Until I found You”. In conversation for her new album Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter she discusses comparison, healing, and being in conversation with yourself.
I was honored to be included in this conversation and listening to some exclusive songs off the new album. Below are some of my favorite questions/ responses from the press conference.
Jordyn - Waffle Magazine
In “Scared of the Dark,” you ask if a noise was a ghost before admitting it is actually the fear of being alone. If your co-dependency were a literal ghost haunting your house, what annoying habits would it have, and how have you learned to co-exist with it?
I think the ghost would be telling me not to trust my intuition. Just relearning to trust myself and remembering that when I do trust myself there are no wrong answers, even when things aren’t going according to plan, it’s meant to happen for a reason. When you let too many voices tell you who you are, you don’t really know who you are yourself.
Janina - Her Campus
Who are some artists who inspired you throughout your career, and how did they inspire Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter?
I am very inspired by the like piano, guitar, singer-songwriter, women of the early 2000s. So that would be Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple, Sara Bareilles, Feist, Kate Nash, Lily Allen. I just feel like that lane of music isn’t super prevalent right now and I’m trying to bring it back.
Photo via Universal Music Group
Fernando - SoundCheck Mag
What was the intention behind choosing “Scared of the Dark”, “Brutus”, and “Hot Goblin” as the first songs listeners heard from Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter, and how do they set the tone for the album as a whole?
I thought “Brutus” was a good peak into sort of the piano world but also a little bit whimsical without giving too much pop information or too much of the like songwriter information away it was a meet in the middle of the two. “Brutus” was the first song I wrote coming out of the writers block. It’s one that’s proved to me that I was still able to write. I wanted to honor that as being the first one that people heard. “Hot Goblin”- I just thought that song was fun. I feel like those three songs capture the overall feelings musically of the album. “Scared of the Dark” was one that’s proved I wrote the chorus of when I was thirteen and it’s been stuck in my head since then.
Alli - JELLi Magazine
In the genius interview for your song “Numb Little Bug” you described the lyrics as talking to your mother (explaining your emotions to her). Is this new album a conversation with anyone in your life?
I think it’s a conversation with myself to be honest. This album is very journal-entry-like. It helped me process a lot of what I was feeling. I do feel like when I’m at the piano I’m able to approach my feelings with more honesty than I even am in a journal. It’s kind of like this other self takes over.
It was such a treat being able to listen to Em Beihold’s writing process and journey through the making of Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter. The album is out now! Give it a listen!